Chappell Roan may not have secured a Grammy at the 2026 Awards, but her red carpet appearance was undeniably the talk of the night, thanks to her daring ‘topless’ ensemble that had people talking even before the event kicked off.
The artist, known for ‘Pink Pony Club’, was up for Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance for her track ‘The Subway’, released in August, but unfortunately did not win in either category.
Nevertheless, Roan had already captured attention with her entrance at the 68th Grammys, wearing a sheer, maroon dress that was both topless and backless, seemingly held in place by two nipple piercings.
Her makeup artist, Andrew Dahling, shared insights on how this complex outfit was achieved and the inspiration behind her bold fashion choice.
Initially, the semi-transparent fabric was meant to stun onlookers. Roan arrived covering her shoulders with a matching maroon cloak, which she later removed, unveiling intricate faux-tattoos and a gold concertina choker.
This see-through attire was actually supported by prosthetic nipples, with her extensive body art designed to complement the overall aesthetic.
Speaking to Marie Claire, Dahling detailed the ensemble, noting: “There was so much going on – the tattoos, the prosthetic nipples, all of it, but overall we wanted everything to feel cohesive and really honor the dress and the medieval world we were living in.”
Roan, whose real name is Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, often draws inspiration from high camp and drag. For this striking look, her team chose to keep her typically bold makeup more understated.
Dahling explained: “We started with this very archival, full, bare moment. Once the tattoos came into play, everything became very medieval, but in a real way. It’s still fantasy and something otherworldly, but grounded.”
As a MAC ambassador, she still added some flair, with Dahling opting for a nude-red lipstick. He elaborated: “We still wanted to bring some Chappell and some glam to it, so we added a little bit of MAC metallic liner detail just to bring some pop and some glamour and glitz to her eyes to tie in with the jewelry.”
In creating a ‘Mugler medieval fantasy’, Roan’s team applied a temporary tattoo across her back in a design reminiscent of medieval tapestries, a theme that extended to her bare front.
As her appearance dominated red carpet discussions, Roan addressed the buzz on Instagram, commenting: “Giggling because I don’t even think this is THAT outrageous of an outfit. The look’s actually so awesome and weird.
“I recommend just exercising your free will it’s really fun and silly :D.”